Anton Dries

DRIES, RATZ, BECK

Posted By: Volunteer Transcriber
Date: 3/5/2007 at 21:17:55

Biographies from the 1914 "Past and Present of O'Brien and Osceola Counties of Iowa"

ANTON DRIES.

The farm dweller has always been conceded some advantages over the city dweller, but until recently the disadvantages were often considered to outweigh them. Now, with the establishment of good roads and schools in country districts, with the use of modern machinery, which has lightened the farmer's task, and in the era of prosperity, which has recently dawned upon the farmer, his position is beginning to be an enviable one. Such it seems indeed to the man who has the pleasure of seeing the well regulated farm and the happy home life of Anton Dries.

Anton Dries, a prosperous farmer of Gilman township, Osceola county, Iowa, was born in Kenosha county, Wisconsin, January 31, 1869. His parents, Joseph and Catherine (Ratz) Dries, were both born in Germany. The Dries family were farmers in their native land and raised almost the same crops which they are now growing in this country with the exception that very little corn is raised in Germany. When Joseph Dries came to America he settled in Chicago where he worked by the day, helping to build the stone water front on Lake Michigan. Subsequently he rented land in Wisconsin and later purchased a farm for himself. In 1882 he moved to Osceola county, Iowa, and bought two hundred and forty acres. He proved to be a very successful farmer and eventually became the possessor of six hundred and forty acres of fine land in the county.

Anton Dries was given a good common school education in the schools of Wisconsin and Iowa. He was thirteen years of age when he came with his parents to this county from Wisconsin, and consequently spent most of his life here. He remained at home until he was married, when he moved to his present farm in section 23 in Gilman township where he has one hundred and sixty-five acres in a high state of cultivation, Mr. Dries is building an addition to his home which will add much to the attractiveness and convenience of the place. In 1900 he built the commodious barn which now stands on his farm and in 1910 built one of the largest silos which has ever been erected in the township. He conducts a dairy along with his regular farming, milking on an average of twelve cows each day. He raises considerable stock, including hogs, cattle and horses, which adds not a little to his annual income.

Mr. Dries was married in 1899 to Elizabeth Beck, who was born November 13, 1873, in Wisconsin. She was the daughter of Christian Beck, a native of Germany. Mr. and Mrs. Dries are the parents of seven children, six of whom are living: Theodore Joseph, Alma C. (who was accidentally shot when thirteen years of age and died soon after from the effects of the wound), Therissa Elizabeth, Martin, Gregor, Lena and Edward. All of the children are still living with their parents and are being given the advantages of a good education.

Politically, Mr. Dries is a Democrat, but has never been an aspirant for any public office. He prefers to devote, all of his time to his agricultural interests. Religiously, he and his family are loyal members of the Catholic church at Ashton, and give their hearty support to their favorite denomination. Mr. Dries is a man of pleasing personality and has a host of friends and acquaintances who have been attracted to him because of his clean and wholesome life since living in this community.

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